Great RR, nice pics and nice movie. About the Statoil cup it's a coffe cup you buy for 199NOK and then you fill it up for free att Statoils in Norway.
And I don't think you missed so much with not going to Sweden (or Finland, Finland eastern part should be nice have'nt been there yet), Sweden is nice and cheap by Norwegian standrads, but Norway what a sight.

What a video!! Quite possibly the best ride report video I have seen. You have a great way of telling a story and your photography is very very good. You seem to have an eye for what will make a great image. If you enjoyed your ride as much as I enjoyed reading about it then it must have been brilliant. Once again thanks for the report.

Great RR from an accessible (more or less) part of the world that doesn't seem to get much attention.

The Northern part of Scandinavia & Russia always remind me of Northern Canada where I spend so much of my time, so much so it almost seems familiar. We even have our own nickel mine that has poisoned a good part of the landscape over the decades, so much so when the US was getting ready to go to the moon they tested the Lunar Rover there! I can almost smell the pine & spruce and hear the bugs!

I am jealous of Noraway's roads now, but not their taxes.

The SV has a funny depression on the front cylinder head where the plug is, it collects water and kills spark plugs. But you've found that out already.
The fix is easy, coat the front plug & spark plug boot with dielectric grease. It is a common problem with SV's.

Congratulations on a very entertaining report. You brought back some fine nature pictures from Norway, artcard quality.

Along your report a sentiment came across of not having enough interaction with locals. Comparing to ride reports with intense local contact learns that it often is triggered by an ailing motorcycle. Yours proved most reliable, would you consider a trade-off?

Your final remarks were a good addition to the report. All of them. And indeed, how to answer "how was it" but with "have a seat, it may take a while!"

Along your report a sentiment came across of not having enough interaction with locals. Comparing to ride reports with intense local contact learns that it often is triggered by an ailing motorcycle. Yours proved most reliable, would you consider a trade-off?

That's a very interesting thought. Reliability is important to me, but reading this, maybe it wouldn't be too bad if something actually broke and I needed local help. Touch wood.
The sometimes missing interaction was at times deliberate - I enjoyed the solitude and freedom on this trip. The experience of having the possibility to take every turn, both in thought and the real world, really opened up a lot for me.

Interacting with people is something I am practising since and maybe one day I can overcome feeling uncomfortable taking pictures of people.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rango

Your final remarks were a good addition to the report. All of them. And indeed, how to answer "how was it" but with "have a seat, it may take a while!"

Very good comeback, I will use it if I may. Being ready for this question (and the short answering time) after the second trip, I prepared a few anecdotes I would tell interested folks. For example, border crossing stories always get a chuckle from guys not familiar with this kind of travel.

Having printed out a fair amount of maps I got on yandex.ru (the russian version of Google), I still wanted to get some real maps. I find detail maps of Karelia and Murmansk region in a book store. The Karelia map is one of the most beautifully made maps I've ever seen. Sorry, I'm a map nerd.

Great adventure, great report! Are you a professional photographer? You've got the eye!

Thanks Mika. I'm not anything close to that, no. I wish. In my opinion, taking some decent shots has a lot to do with knowing your camera, taking lots of pictures (so you can sort out 90% before showing them) and analysing pictures (taken by others) you like to find out what caught your attention and what makes that picture what it is.

One of my favourite web comics, Abstruse Goose, has a strip that summarizes the second point:

Quote:

Corollary: The most prolific people in the world suck 99% of the time.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mika S

Which maps did you use?

These are excerpts of those two maps I bought in the store of the Russian National Library at the Nevsky Prospekt.

Thanks AG, this is very helpful! PTL for cell phone cameras! I'll use your pictures when I go and visit the shop at Nevsky Prospect. (I'm actually in St Pete now and planning to make a short trip to Karelia in June.)

I like maps, too, you know...

I agree on what you say about an analytical look at other people's pics (and your own I guess). Yes and I also believe you're right about selecting pictures out of the mass (funny comic you've got there ). But it's still necessary to have an eye for the composition and light and what ever there is that makes a great shot.

All in all, I've enjoyed your story and pictures, not forgetting the video. Thanks! Ride safe!

AG, Thank you for taking the time to do this report. I agree that travelling alone heightens the sensibilities...it also seems to make great ride reports even better. The photos and videos are first class. Enjoy the Balkans and Armenia! I hope you continue to take us along on your future trips...

Incidentally, I noticed a couple of inmates mentioned similar plans this year - I'd be happy to hook up for stretch (the Russian bit?) if anyone is up for it? Lemme know. T.

I am planning a trip from Cologne, Germany to Vladivostok, Russia. The actual route has not been set through europe, and after the Urals, you just point the bike east until you run out of land. Departure date is around 1 June 2013.

So far, I have not decided on any particular countries to get to Russia, but I think I will avoid Belarus. Ukraine and Russia will be some pain enough all by themself. Some stops along the way are fine, with a fixed date of 30 June/1 July to be in Vladivostok. The bike will be stored in Vladivostok or shipped back to Moscow.

My partner has decided to bail out so I am looking for any riding partner(s) for all or any portions of the trip. I expect motel/hotel in western Russia and more camping the farther east one goes. I have a Suzuki DR650 and will not be a speed demon. I would expect a daily 600-675Km/375-425Mi per day average to go the distance. The general route would be to follow the Trans Siber Railway.

If anyone is interested in the trip or parts of it, PM me with email address. I speak English, pretty good Spanish, and beginner Russian. I can get along on signs, map, and the Moscow Metro. After that, it is cave man talk...

I hope some are interested, I will try to post a ride report and spot tracking as well. Whatever you think, this will be an adventure for someone from USA, and create memories.